releve Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
18
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
98
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
An unusual, high-elevation stand of pitch pine woodland on a narrow, stony ridge spur at 4240 ft elevation. Extremely dense shrub layer of Quercus ilicifolia and mixed, primarily evergreen heaths. Because of the density, a narrow plot configuration (10 x 40 m) was used, and a trail was utilized as the long-dimension centerline, providing easier access to the vegetation for 5 m on either side. Most herbs grew adjacent to or near the trail, where more light is available. Kalmia latifolia stems were tallied in a 25% (5 x 20 m) sub-sample. This even-aged stand of pitch pine obviously regenerated following a hot burn on the xeric ridge, but the stand has been free of fire for many decades now. Relative stand size was judged based on aerial photo signature.
0-4 cm: leaf and needle litter
4-10 cm: humus / dense roots
10+ cm: dark to yellowish-brown, organic-rich sandy loam with many small stones
Soil dense and difficult to extract.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
No recent disturbance, except for trail that runs through stand.
